Bottle-cleaning apparatus



Nov. 5, 1929. J. R. GRUETYTER M BOTTLE CLEANING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 4 1921 f/Wf/ffa/f figa' Nov- 5, 1929- J. R. camu-:Trenl 1,734,463

' BOTTLE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1921 i @sheets-sheet 2 Y Nov. 5, 1929.

4. R. GRUETTER BOTTLE CLEANING APPARATUS Fi'led Aug. 4, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet fnl/enzow Nov. 5, 1929. J. R. GRUETTER BOTTLE CLEANING. APPARATUS Filed Aug., 4. 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 5, J. R. GRUETTER BOTTLE CLEANING APARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1921 6 SheetsSheet 5 Nov. 5, 1929. J. R. GRUETTER BOTTLE CLEANING APARATUS Filed Aug.`4, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 y whereby the supply of heated ysessing Patented Nov. 5, 1929 sra'res PATENT OFFICE JOHN R. GRUETTER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0

THE CLEVELAND TRUST COMPAN Y,

OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO BOTTLE-CLEANING APPARATUS Application led August 4, 1921. Serial No. 489,695.

This invention relates to bottle-cleaning apparatus, and has for its general object to provide an apparatus of this character which will not only enable the bottles to be cleaned eiiiciently but which, for its size, will enable a maximum number of bottles to be cleaned within a given time interval. A further object of the invention is to paratus of this character which, while posgreat eiliciency and capacity, is relatively inexpensive of production. I accomplish the foregoing object and other and mere limited objects to be explained hereinat'ter in and through an appartus such as shown in the drawings forming part hereof,

wherein Fig. l is a sectional front elevation; and Fig. 2 an end elevation of such apparatus; Fig. 3 a central sectional view through such apparatus; Fig. 4 a ysectional yview taken at right angles to that shown in F i g. 3; Fig.V 5 a plan view of the apparatus, with parts broken away; and Fig. 6 a horizontal sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 6 6 of Fig. l.

Theappartus illustrated herein comprises generally the following parts:

(a) A casing having a tank for the reception, heating and delivery of a caustic cleaning solution, with means within said easing for distributing the said solution to the bottles; also a preliminary cleaning and a final rinsing station within the said casing, with means for supplying liquid ofthe desired temperature thereto. f

(b) A horizontally arranged rotatable carrier or turntable having bottle carrier elements secured to the periphery thereof rand projecting radially therefrom'.

t c) Means forapplyingintermittent rotary movement to the bottle carrier whereby the bott-les thereon may be brought successively into operative relation to the cleaning jets.

(d) Means for automatically supplying liquid at proper temperature to the preliminary cleaning and final rinsing stations water at these stations may be conserved.

The toregoii'ig parts of the apparatus will now be described.

The casing is relatively longand narrow provide an apindicated at 4 and 5 and the bottom wall at 6. The tank l is supplied with liquid from time to time, as may be desired7 by a pipe 7. A su'dicient quantity of a caustic agent is dissolved in the water thus supplied to enable the bottles to be cleansed during the appropriate portion of their travel between the walls 2 and 3. The caustic liquid in the tank l is forced7 by means of a pump 7a having an inlet pipe 8 and a delivery pipe 9, into a jet box l0 having its cover provided with Lupwardly directed jet nozzles 11 (see Figs.

4 and 6), said nozzles being arranged in radial series, there being ve such nozzles shown in each series to correspond to the bottle holders moving thereover, to be dcscribed hereinafter. In the apparatus shown inthe drawings, the bottles areintended to be conducted above the nozzles in clockwise direction. Toward the exit end, the box l() is provided with two series of jet orifices l2 in place of nozzles, the oriiices being arranged in groups of four in each series and adapted to discharge liquid upon the outsides of the bott-les thereabove. Cooperating with the said orifices and nozzles as to the removal ofy y labels and other sediment from the bottles, is a pan 13 arranged above the said jet box and supplied with liquid from the tank 1y and pump 7 by a pipe 14 which is connected to the jet box (see Figs. 4 and 5). rlhe said pipe l14 has a horizontal extension 14a at its.L

upper-end extending over said pan and discharging thereupon by means of the transverse distributing pipe 14h. The pan is shown as supportedby angle irons l5 connected thereto at 15 which angle irons are supported by bolts 15b passing through spacers l5c and connected to T-bars 16 which in turn are supported from the casing by gusset plates 16"'l and angle irons 16D. The pan is provided with radial groups of sprinkling orii'ices 17, these radial groups cofA responding in position and arrangement with the nozzles l1, tour such orifices being shown for each group. rlhe jet box 10 and the pan 13 are each in the Jform olZ a segment ot an annulus, in order to cooperate with an annular bottle carrier which proj ects 'from the periphery ot a turn table concentric with the inner and outer peripheries ot" said and The liquid which is supplied to the bottles between the jet boi; 10 and the pan 13 is discharged into a label remover similar to that shown in the application ot Charles H. Loew, Serial No. 426,530, tiled lloveinber 17, 1920, said label remover comprising a downwardly inclined tray 18 having its bottom perforated and into which the liquid, containing the labels and other sediment, is discharged from the partition or `Hoor 2. vvFrom this tray, the liquid which is strained through the openings therein passes through openings in a strainer 19, surrounding all but the inner side of the said tray, and down the inclined bot tom of a boi; 20 back into the tank 1, where it can be again taken up by the inlet pipe 8, and delivered by the pump Za delivery pipe 9 to the box 10 and pan 13. For the purpose ot maintaining the caustic solution at the desired temperature, a radiator 21 is placed within the tank and is supplied with steam fromx any convenient source.

At the 'alet end otthe casing, between the partition 2 and cover 3, there ris located a single series ot preliminary soaking and preheating jets, indicated at 22; while at the outlet or delivery end ot the casing and preferably therewithin there is located a double series 23st linal cooling and rinsing jets, the jets in both cases boing similar to the jet nozzles 11 in the jet box 10, and adapted to discharge upwardly into and against the bot tles on the Carrier.

Cooperating with the jets 23 is a pan 2li; having sprinkling heads 25 adapted to deliver the final cooling and rinsing liquid upon the exteriors ot the bottles treated by the jets 23 therebeneath. The sprinkling heads are shown in Fig. 1, each head having Yeo a plurality ot jet openings adapted to discharge downwardly upon the bottles.

Tater for the jet nozzles 22 and 23 and for the s rinklino heads 25 is aret'era-bl f suna '1 l plied from the local water system. 26 denotes the water supply pipe leading to the coil 2 and ered through the pipes 28, and 29 and valve 298L to the upper jet box 2e. The temperature ot the water thus supplied may be varied as desired by means ot the connection 30 ei;- tending from the cold water pipe 26 to the pipe 29 and having the valve 30 therein. Bv suitablyT manipulating the valves 20a and 30'. the temperature oi the water which is turntable 33 is provided with V,connection with the pump.

finally showered upon the bottles may be varier as desired. The pipe 23 is extended beyond its point of connection with the pipe 29 and is there provided with a valve 31 which is adapted to be opened automatically (under conditions to be pointed out hereter) thereby to supply water at the desired temperature to the linal rinsing nozzles 23. Through the valve 31 and pipe connections 32b and 32a, warmed or heated water is delivered to the preliminary soaking and preheating jets 22 (see Figs. l, 2 and 6). rlhe manner in which the flow ot liquid through the jets 22 and 23 is automatically controlled will be more fully pointed out hereinafter. By reference to Fig 2 it will be seen that the valve 31 is below the pipes 32 and 32b which lead respectively to the nozzles 23 and 22. The valve 31 is automaticallv actuated trom the turntable shaft to conf trol the l'low ot liquid to the jets 22 and 23 in the manner to be hereinafter more fully descri ed. The inlet opening and the outlet opening from the casing are provided with vertical flaps, 33, 3a respectively, said llaps being adapted t-o be swung aside by each radial series of bottles entering and leaving the casino' and to drop thereatter by gravity into a positoin to approximately close such openings.

Concentric with the peripheries ot 'the jet bon 10 is a post 35 mounted in the horizontal arms 37 or" bracket 36. Sleeved upon the upper end ot this post and rotatably supported upon the upper bracket arm 37 is a horizontal turntable 33, having at its periphery a vertical flange 39 provided with radial lugs e0. Bolted onto the said lugs are the annular segments a1 ot the bottle carrier. Each segment, as shown herein, comprises a grid made up' ot three radial bars l2 connected by tive cross bars 43. rl`he intersection or each cross bar with each radial bar is provided with an open seat 4st for the neck and breast ot a bott-le. Each seat la is generally circular in plan and is provided with inwardly projecting beveled radial projec tions d5 which are adapted to receive the breast ot the bottle, with the neck projecting downwardly through the circular opening. The bottle holders are so arranged and spaced as to register with the jet nozzles 22, 11 and 23 as the bottle carrier is advanced intermittently about the post 35 as an axis. For the purpose of lightening the construction, the openings 38t therethrough and is strengthened by radial ribs 33b between such openings.

For the purpose of imparting the interinittent rotary motion to the turntable and to the bottle carrier thereon, the following construction is provided: #i6 denotes a shaft arranged parallel with the post- 35 and driven in any convenient manner, and preferably in In the drawings,

the shaft 46 is shown as driven as follows 47 denotes an electric motor the shaft 48 whereof is used as the shaft for the pump 7a. The shaft 48 is extended and provided with a pully 49 by means of which al belt 50, a pulley 5l, and a shaft 52 are driven. The latter shaft is provided with a worm 53 meshing with a worm gear 54 on the shaft 46, the driving connections described operating the shaft 46 at a speed very greatly reduced as compared with the shaft 48.

The shaft 46 is mounted within a housing 55 having at its upper end a bearing for the `upper end of said shaft. The extreme upper end of the shaft projects above said housing and is there provided with a cam 56. As shown herein, this cam is approximately 9()o in angular extent and is adapted to engage a roller 57 intermediate the ends of an arm 5S which is sleeved at one end upon the post 65. The opposite end ot' the arm 58 has pivotally connected thereto, at 59, a pawl 60 which,

kmeans of a spring 61is pressed into engagement with the teeth 62 oi an annular ratchet 'termed within the flange 39 ot the turntable. A spring 63 holds the roller 57 in engagemem with the cam 56. It will be evident that, by rotation ot' the shaft 46 and the cam 56, an intermittent rotary movement is imparted to the turntable 68 and to the annular bottle carrier secured thereto. The ratchet teeth 62 will be so spaced and the throw of the pawl will be such that the turntable will be advanced the angular distance between two adjacent radial rows of jet nozzles or oriiices for each rotation of the shaft 46.

Reference has been made hereinbefore to the automatic operation of the valve 3l. This automatic operation is secured by a second cam 64 carried by the shaft 46 rbelow the cam 56, which cam 64 is adapted, during each rotation of said shaft, to engage one end of an arm 65 pivoted intermediate oit its ends to a bracket 66, as indicated at 67, rthe opposite end of said arm being connected by a link 68 with an operating arm 69 rigid with the stem 7() of the rotary valve 31. A spring 71, rconnected to the arm 68 and to a suitable part of trie apparatus, serves to hold the said arm in operative relation to the' cam 64. The parts are so arranged that the Valve 3l ywill be closed except when the cam 64 is operating the arm 65, and the parts are so timed that the maximum opening of the valve will not occur until the bottle mouths are in register with the various radial series ot jet oriiices and jet nozzles. This is due to the shaping ot the Cain 64 and its arrangement with reference to the cam 56. It will be noted that the peak ot' the cam 64 is oit very short extent and that this peak is located between the ends of the peak of the cani see Fig. 5). lVith this arrangement, with the cams rotating in a counter clock-wise direction, the cam 56 will first operate te move the arm 58 to theleft, thereby rotating the turntable one step. The arm 58 will be held in this position until the roller rides ott the right hand end of the curved peak of the cam 56, when the spring 63 will move the arm 58 to the right so that the pawl 70 f ing the valve 3l and opening itA only at a time when the turntable is at rest. As soon as the arm 57 rides oill the peak of the cam 64, the valve 31 will be closed, and this closing will occur before the arm 58 can be moved to the right, as a necessary step before the next movement of the turntable. This results in supplying the pre-heating liquid and the final rinsing liquid to the bottles during a portion only of the period in which the bottle carrier is at rest, thereby conserving the supply of liquid to the preliminary and final stations and especially the supply of water heated by the liquid within the tank. f

The operation of the apparatus as thus described will be easily understood from'the foregoing description, The bottles are removed frein and applied to the rotatable 'carrier between the delivery flaps 34 and the inlet flapsk 33. Drain pans are provided for the part of the carrier outside of the casing, as indicated at 72 and 7 3.V The radial series of bottles will be carried successively into register with the radial series of nozzles 22, where they will be preliminarily soaked and warmed. The liquid from this operation will be delivered to the pan 74 which, in common with the pans 72 and 73, may discharge their contents to the sewer or other waste place. Between the ets 22 and the outlet'j ets 28, the bottles are subjected to the action oit the solution pumped from thetank l.' With the parts shown herein, the bottles will be given live consecutive internal cleansing actions betere they reach the first radial series et external cleansing jets 12, where they will be subjected to upwardly directed streams of liquid flowing along the outer sides thereof. Following this action, the bottles will be given another internal cleansing action, and two more intern al cleansing actions. Vhile passing above the box l0, the sides and the upturned bottoms of the bott-les will be sprinkled with solution discharged from the openings 17 in the pan thereabove. The liquid supplied to the bottles at this stage ot the operation will be delivered into they combined strainer and label remover comprising the parts 18-20 and will be returned tothe tank l for re-use.

The'bottles next pass to the final rinsing and cooling station ycomprising the nozzles 23 and the jets 25 and, after passing through the liaps 340i` the delivery opening, can be removed by the operator.

tra

It Willnovv be clear that l have provided a bottle cleaning apparatus which will plish the objects ot the invent-ion hereinoetore stated. s

Having thus described iny invention, what l claim is:

l. ln an e3) ts combination o a tpinr and a casing above sai being provided With a l and an upper sprayingN liquid to bottles there-b tween, means tor fil-orcing the solution .trein tank to the said devices, turntal having bottle supports at its peripheral portion adapted to pass betvveen the spraying derices, and means i'or driving said turntable intermittent y thereby to bring the bottle supports into register With the said spraying devices, additiol spraying devices arrange-d Within said and means for supplying a cleaning 'fluid thereto, means operated by said turntable driving means for limiti the supply ot iiuid through said lastmentic-ned spraying devices for predetermined periods.

2. ln an apparatus for cleanii bottles, the combination of a tank for olea ising solu and a casing above said tank. the said caf being provided with a loiver iet box and With a liquid distributing device above and spaced from the jet bon', ineans tor forcing the solution from said tank to the said jet box and to the said device, a turntable having` bottle supports at its peripheral portion, and means for driving said turntable intermittently therebylv to bring the bottles on the supports into register With the jets and the distributing device, additional spraying devices for supplying a cleaning tluid to said bottles and means tor supplying cleaning tluid thereto, and means operatively connected with tl e irntable driving means for limiting the supply et iuid through said last mentioned spraying devices for predetermined periods.

3. In an apparatus tor cleaning bottles, the combination 'of Va, casing having in its low i portion a tank 'for cleansing solution and having therein and above said 'tank jet box provided vvith radial series ot openings and With a spriiiklingfdevice abete and pacet from the jet box, a turntable having` radial series -t bottle supports adapted to be carried successively in operative relation to the series ot jet openings, means for` driving said turntable intermittently to bring the bottles thereon into register with the series of Iiet opei ings successively, and means for 'forcing solution from the said tank to the said jet boi: and to the said sprinkling device, and additional spraying devices carried by said casing and means for supplying a cleaning i uid thereto, means operatively connected with the turntable driving means for limiting the supply ot 'fluid through sai d last mentioned spraying devices for predetermined periods.

^ settles, the g solution 'the said casing ."aying device rice for supplying casing "bordes, the

combination et a casi g having series ot forming an '+1' F11" ++.i1a1a .JF Wisnin the sait casing, a tuinasie new Lng i s aid ca ing and proanis located outside ot 1 vided with a pegi )here nnular bottle carrier comprising radial sefi ot seatsi means Jior supplying liquid tro ie said tank to the d means icr motion bottle npanltiug intermitflie said turntable said jets, tent rotarwhereby the i moved into ut oi die upper portion ot the casing and into regist rsuccessively with the series oi jetopenings ii said casing, additional spraying devices for supplying a cleaning il `l to bottles supported on sait bottle carriers and for supplying a cleaning duid iereto, means operatively connected with said turi table drii. j "g' means for oil the supply ot tluid tl :ougli said niioned spraying devices tor predeterostile cleansing apparatus, the coini" aliqLu.,L a a, dineans gix i i l t`ie li uid n, a bottle spray ing` str i liavii a a pluralA ot snraving dcn l. l vices, and nieans for supplying heated lioli '.d from said tank to said devices, a coil iii sait 'L i a second bottle spraying station having -l g devices connected with and supplied from said coil, a horizontally disposed rot-atable bottle carrier, means for moving the said carrier intermittently, thereby to bring the bottles thereon successively in operative relation to the spraying devices at both of said stations, and means operated in coniunction with the movements ot said carrier tor admitting liquid to the spray-ng devices at the second station only When die bottles are in register with the said devices.

6. ln a bottle cleaning apparatus, the coinbination ot a tank having means for heating liquid therein, a plurality ot bottle cleaning devices and means for supplying liquid troni said tank thereto, a coil in said tank, a second series of bottle cleaning devices and means for supplying liquid from said coil thereto, a bottle carrier, means 'lor moving the saine intermittently thereby to the bottles thereviii on successively in operative relation to )oth sets of cleaning devices, and means operative in conjunction Twith the driving ot the bottle carrier for limiting the supply or liquid 'trein the coil to the second seies of cleaning devices.

ln a. bottle cleaning apparatus, the coinbinatioii ot a radial series ot bottle cleanin de fices and means for supplying liquid ther to, a turntable having an annular r tcliet and provided with radial series of bottle suop adapted to be brought into register Witl` the said cleaning devices, a drive shaft, pivoted coaiiially with the said turntable and having a paivl adapted to engage the said ratchet, and a cam on said drive to engage said arm.

5. In a bottle cleaning apparatus, the cornbination of a plurality of bottle spraying devices, a turntable having bottle supports adapted to register With said spraying devices, a pipe tor supplying liquid to said spraying devices, a valve in said pipe, an arial support for said turntable and an annular ratchet carried by the latter, a paivl for operating said ratchet, a drive shaft having a cam thereon for operating' said pawl, a second cam on said drive shaft, and connections between said. second cam and said valve for opening the latter When the bottles on the carrier are brought into register with the said spraying devices.

9. A bottle cleaning apparatus comprising a series ot bottle spraying device" and means for supplying liquid thereto, a turntable and shaft adapted means or imparting intermittent rotary .movement thereto, said turntable being provided with marginal lugs, and bottle-carrying elements secured to said lugs and forming an a nular bottle carrier about the per ipliery oi 'i said turntable, and means operated by movement ot the turntable lor controlling the supply of liquid to said spraying devices.

10. In an apparatus lor cleaning bottles, the combination of a plurality of bottle spraying devices and means for supplying a liquid thereto, a turntable rotatably supported adjacent said spraying devices and having a. plurality ot' bottle supports thereon, means iter imparting an intermittent rotary movement to said turntable whereby to move said bottle supports into register with said spraying devices successively, and means actuated by the driving means tor said bottle supports for cutting oili the delivery of fluid through said spraying devices when said bottle supports are out ot register therewith and additional means tor delivering a liquid to the outside ot the bottles during a part of their movement.

11. In an apparatus ot the class described, the combination of a casing having a plurality oi" radially disposed roivs of bottle cleaning' spray nozzlestherein and means ttor supplying a liquid thereto, a turntable rotatably supported and having a part proj ecting into said casing, a plurality of radially disposed bottle supports carried byesaid turntable, means for imparting an intermittent rotary movement to said turntable whereby to move said bottle supports into register with said spray nozzles in regular sequence,-said last mentioned means including a driven shaft, means operatively connected With said shalt for cutting oil the supply of liquid to said spray nozzles when said bottle supports are out ot' register therewith, a second series of radially disposed cleaning spray nozzles arranged Within said casing and means tor supplying a different cleaningtluid thereto from an'independent source oi supply and additional means for delivering a liquid to the outside of bottles arranged on said bottle supports.

12. The combination With a liquid containing tank and means for heating the liquid therein, of a casing above said tank, there being a radial series of bottle cleaning jets disposed Within said easing and arranged to discharge into the mouths of bottles thereabove, said casing having a radial series ot oriiices therein arranged to discharge upon the ouside of bottles brought thereabove, means located above the said the sides and bottoms of bottles above said jets, a second series oi jets arranged to discharge into the mouths ot' bottles tliereabove, a sprinkling device arranged above th'evlastI n'ientioned jets, means for delivering a preliminary rinsing liquid to the lirst series ot jets and means it'or delivering arinsing liquid to the last series of jets and to said sprinkling devices, a turntable having a radial seri A's of bottle si'lpports, means lor driving said turntable intermittently to bring the bottles on said supports successively into operative relation to the various jets and sprinkling devices Within said casing, and means operated by the movement of said turntable for controlling the flow of liquid t0 said first mentioned jets.

13. lhe combination with a liquid containing tank and means for heating a cleaning liquid therein, of a casing above said tank, said casino' having a radial series of orifices therein, a showering device disposed above said ornices, means for supplying a heated liquid from said tank to the said orifice' and to the said showering device, preliminary bottle rinsing means arranged Within said casing, means 'for delivering liquid to said preliminary rinsing means, rfinal rinsing means arranged near the means for supplying' a cooling liquid to said final rinsing means, a turntable having a radial series ot bottle supports thereon, and means for driving said turntable intermittently thereby to bring the bottle supports successively into operative relation to the various liquid supply means Within the casing.

14; The combination, with a liquid containing tank and means for heating the liquid therein, of a casing disposed above said tank, said casing having al radial series of bottle cleaning orifices therein, a radial series of jets Within said casing and arranged to discha ge Water into and upon the sides of bottles brought thereabove, means located above the said jets for discharging Water upon the bottoms and sides of ybottles brought above said jets, there being Within said casing a second radial series of orifices arranged to discharge into the mouths of bottles brought thereabove, a turntable having a radial series of bottle supports, means for driving said turntable intermittently to bring bottles on said supports successively into operative relation jets tor showering liquid upony delivery end of said casing,

to the various liquid supplying devices Within said casing, means for supplying heated liquid from said tank to said jets and to tlie eX- tei-nal cleaning means tlierealoove, and means for supplying the preliminary and final rinsing Water to the first and last radial series of orifices iii said casing respectively.

l5. In a bottle cleaning apparatus, the coinbination with a liquid containing tank, of a casing having a series of orifices therein, a spraying device disposed above said orifices, means for supplying a liquid Jfrom said tanl-r to the said orifices and to tlie said spraying devices, preliminary bottle rinsing means carried by said casing means for delivering liquid to said preliminary rinsing means, final rinsing means arranged near the delivery end of said casing, means for supplying a cooling` liquid to said final rinsing means, a turntable having a series of bottle supports thereon and means for driving said turnta intermittenty Where y to bring the lnotie supports successively into operative ielatien to. the various liquid supply nieans.

In testimony whereof, l hereunto ai'iix my signature.

JOHN R. GRUETTER. 

